Phrase : Call out

Phrasal Verb : Call out

Meaning:

• To criticize someone about something they have said or done and challenge them to explain it.

• If you “call out “ someone or something it means you are drawing attention to them.

Explanation:

• The phrase is particularly used when drawing public attention to an issue or injustice which has so far gone unnoticed, raising the profile of the issue and getting the injustice addressed.

• Whoever it is that gets “called-out” on something, it usually always indicates that they have done something that they shouldn’t have. 

Similar: To ask a question or questions about an issue; to confront

Example Dialogue

A: Have you ever been called out in public for not wearing a mask? 

B: Not me, but I saw a customer wearing a mask called out another customer who was not.

A: What happened?

B: The customer who refused to wear a mask got angry and was asked to leave the store.

Example Sentences

• "The coach called out the player whose foul cost the game."

• "My boss called me out for arriving late to the meeting."

• "Even though the customer could not afford the product, the salesperson was called out for losing the sale."

• "Why does Donald Trump get so hurt when called out?"

• "Should you call out a liar?"

• "She called him out on his shameless hypocrisy."

• "Calling her out in front of everyone wasn’t exactly fair."

• "Are narcissists afraid of being called out?"

• "The president was called out on his racist remarks."